'It is a really sad day' - Ricky Ponting reacts as Justin Langer steps down as Australia coach

After taking over Australia's head coach position in 2018, Justin Langer had a huge responsibility of resurrecting the team's morale. After the ban of Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft following the sandpaper gate, the team was in a difficult situation. Langer managed the situation well and got the team back to its feet. In recent developments, Langer has stepped down as the head coach of the Australian men's team. 

Questions were being raised on Langer's position after Australia's poor run last year. However, the team did well in recent times and won the 20-20 World Cup and defeated England in the Ashes. 

Reacting to Langer's departure, former cricketer Ricky Ponting said blasted Cricket Australia for poor handling of the Justin Langer saga and termed the development as sad. The two former cricketers share a good relationship. Ponting even helped out Langer throughout his stint as the head coach.

"It is a really sad day as far as Australian cricket is concerned and if you look back it has been a really poor six months on the whole in the way that Cricket Australia has handled some of the better people in the Australian cricket - Justin Langer and Tim Paine. I think it’s been almost embarrassing the way they have handled those two cases," Ponting said as quoted by News 18.

Langer took this decision on Saturday following a meeting with Cricket Australia on Friday. Langer's manager James Henderson took to Twitter to confirm the development and also hailed the former opener for his contribution to Australia Cricket.

“As a player, Justin retired on top after a 5-0 Ashes whitewash. Today, despite the views of a faceless few, he finishes his time as Australian cricket coach winning the T20 World Cup and the Ashes. Lest we forget what JL took over in 2018,” Henderson tweeted.

In response to Langer's retirement, Nick Hockley- Board CEO- in a media release said that they respect Langer's decision.

"We are extremely proud of his achievements since he took over in 2018, including the recent T20 World Cup victory and Ashes success. We are naturally disappointed Justin has decided against continuing as coach but respect his decision and wish him all the best in the future.

"I would like to sincerely thank Justin and also his family for all that they have given to Australian cricket over the past four years, for which we remain eternally grateful," he concluded.